diy wall decor – A Diamond in the Stuff

Family Rules Window

Courtney Carmean — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:00:12 +0000

When it comes to old windows I am obsessed. I love them so much. Partially because they have endless possibilities. I recently posted 6 Totally Awesome Things To Do With Windows. One of the awesome things I talked about was creating your own wall art by adding vinyl to an old window. I dug this large window out of my garage and created this Family Rules Window.

This window is a big one. Its about 2ft by 4ft. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it for a long time. The glass was intact so I really didn’t want to remove it. I decided that I wanted to attempt a huge family rules subway art using my Silhouette and vinyl.

It was a big undertaking to get all that vinyl cut and on there straight. I ended up applying it to the window in sections because it was just too overwhelming to do all at once.

The window was all chippy and discolored to perfection! I did add some polycrylic to the wood frame to prevent flaking paint. The clear coat allowed me to keep the shabbiness of the window without having to worry about lead paint.

Is it just me or is this window simply stunning????

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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What else have I been up to lately?

Check out my super cheap and easy version of a wood arrow……

Picket Fence Arrows

Courtney Carmean — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:00:05 +0000

I am loving the “arrow” trend happening now in design. They seem to be popping up everywhere and totally want to make some DIY style. However, sometimes opportunity and inspiration present it’s self and you just can’t pass it up. Enter my Picket Fence Arrows.

As I was wandering my stockpile of crafty bits in the garage I stumbled upon a bucket of cut off picket fence pieces. They were once part of a fence panel like the one I made above. However this panel was old a weathered. The bottom pieces of the fence boards had been used for other projects. All that was left were the pickets.

I drug them up to my craft room and dry brushed some craft paint on them. The awesome thing about dry brushing is, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just take a dry paint brush, pick up just a slight amount of paint on the tips of the brush, and dab off on a paper towel. Add as much or as little as you want.

After I painted, I wanted to do a bit of distressing. I used a sanding sponge to go over the entire “arrow”, knocking off the high points and edges. Again, you can do this as much or as little as you like. It’s all about personal preference. I liked the worn look but I still wanted a lot of color showing. Aqua, off white, and coral to be exact.

Ugh I just love them. They are chippy and rustic, yet they are modern and funky too. So if you want to participate in the arrow fad in an easy and funky way, give these Picket Fence Arrows a try!!!

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Looking for some more DIY goodness….give one of these 6 Totally Awesome Things To Do With Old Windows a try!!!

Bright Living Room Wall Gallery

Courtney Carmean — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:00:01 +0000

In the past 10 years we have lived in 6 homes. Ah the military life. Each time we move I get better and better at getting packed up and then getting settled back in. This last move to Louisiana felt like my most organized to date. Before I knew it we were unpacked, things on the walls, and everything in place.

Yes everything on the walls but nothing in the frames! Ugh. Here’s the story of my Bright Living Room Wall Gallery……

This is what my living room looked like before we moved in. I wasn’t a big fan of the wall color so that was the first to go. We went from a peanut butter brown to a light soft grey. I love these huge, tall walls in our home. The only problem is how to fill them up! I knew I wanted my Aqua Entertainment Center and Open Shelving to go on the largest wall in the living room. However, just by itself it all looked small and awkward. I knew that the wall needed something more.

Have you ever wondered how people get their wall galleries on the wall and looking good? Here’s my tip…..I cut out packing paper (butcher paper, wax paper, or wrapping paper would all work to) in the shapes and sizes of my objects that I want to hang. I then tape the paper to the walls, positioning and re-positioning them this way is much easier. I usually hammer the nail right through the paper and hang the item up. Just pull the paper away and you’re on to the next one!

Once I got everything hung just the way I wanted it….there it sat. Sad to say for months with no pictures. I know I KNOW! Holidays, kids, general not-wanting-to. You know.

I had fun mixing picture frames, signs, mirrors, and some typography in my huge gallery wall. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle at first but I got it looking the way I wanted. I also had fun playing with colors too. Obviously I had to bring in the bright and colorful Aqua color from my entertainment center. I also added some white, black, and grey into the mix. I really wanted the aqua to be the pop of color.

It’s such a relief to have this wall officially DONE. And it’s so pretty too!

I would say that my home is complete, but that would be a lie. For me, my space is never done. I am always tweaking things and there is one large project in the works as well. I would say that I have nested into this home quite well though! Finishing my Bright Living Room Wall Gallery was one of the last things on my list from the move though!

Are you a fan of Gallery Walls? Do you have one in your home?

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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In my latest post I shared some of my recent Thrifty Thursday finds! Come check them out and tell me what you would make with them!!!

All You Need Is Love Wood Sign

Courtney Carmean — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:00:53 +0000

After Christmas everything seems a bit bare and lackluster. This includes retail. When it’s time to remove all of my Christmas items for sale from my booth, things suddenly look very plain. So amongst all the other items I’m working on, I wanted to include some fun Valentine’s Day themed items.

I have always been a fan of the saying “All You Need is Love” made famous by the Beatles. It may be naive, it may be whimsical, but I love it.

I didn’t do a photo tutorial for this sign, however if you want to see how I make my wood signs you can check out my tutorial here!

I did a red and white sign and a black and white sign. One more of a traditional Valentine’s day sign and maybe one that makes a better every day reminder. I gave them both a pretty good sanding and distressing.

I’ll be bringing them to my booth soon to add some love to the place! Hopefully they will love my “All You Need is Love” Wood Signs : )

Are you decorating for Valentine’s Day?